The FluMist seasonal flu vaccine is coming to seven Fayette County elementary schools Oct. 19-22. Parental consent forms are required to have the vaccine administered. The Flu-Free Schools vaccination program is a pilot program sponsored by the state District 4 Health Department.

A total of 13 school systems in the multi-county public health district are participating in the program. Due to the large participation, the number of elementary school sites in each county is limited, said school system Public Information Officer Melinda Berry-Dreisbach.

Fayette chose schools that would represent the geographical regions of the county and those that had previous experience in conducting in-school clinics, she said.

Berry-Dreisbach said informational packets were sent home last week with students at Huddleston, North Fayette, Peachtree City, Robert J. Burch, Sara Harp Minter, Peeples and Spring Hill elementary schools.

The FluMist is sprayed in the nose, where the flu enters the body, and is designed to stimulate the body’s natural defenses without causing disease. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu.

The purpose of the Flu-Free Schools program is to keep students and teachers healthy and in school by reducing the number of days missed from school and work, Berry-Dreisbach said. If the pilot is successful, the program may be offered to more schools next year, according School Health Specialist Debbie King.

“This is a closed program for only the participating schools’ students and staff. It is not open to the general public,” Berry-Dreisbach said.

Parents must sign a consent form and submit the fee amount in order for their child to receive the vaccine. The fee is $25 for those without insurance and $35 for those with insurance.

A clinic will be set up at each school and staffed by medical professionals who will administer the nasal-mist vaccine. Clinics will be conducted during school hours. Participating students will be out of their classrooms, accompanied by their teachers, for 5-10 minutes.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children ages 6 months to 18 years receive an annual seasonal flu vaccination.